Hard Light Productions Forums

Modding, Mission Design, and Coding => The Modding Workshop => Topic started by: StratComm on March 22, 2004, 06:56:45 pm

Title: Hmm, needs something
Post by: StratComm on March 22, 2004, 06:56:45 pm
I've taken up remodeling and improving the Archangel mod I made a while back, and I've gone a good way to revamping the model.  I'm up to HT&L poly counts (2300 or so at the moment, though I'll add in more before it's over) but it still needs something (besides a better texture job).  Comments?

(http://www.duke.edu/~cek6/angel1.jpg)
(http://www.duke.edu/~cek6/angel2.jpg)

Also, I need to find two rather specific textures.  One is a row of lights, sort of like they were in girders.  I'll try to whip up something.  The other is a bunch techy stuff with blue and yellow lights all over it, and this is proving to be a headache.  Sensor booms are tough to get right.
Title: Hmm, needs something
Post by: .::Tin Can::. on March 22, 2004, 07:34:55 pm
I love it! But, one problem. It's too dark. There's not many indications that there are crew aboard or any fancy lights or stuff, but other then that, its just a small detail I liked to add. But anyway, I love the ship!
Title: Hmm, needs something
Post by: mikhael on March 22, 2004, 07:57:05 pm
If you remember my older version of my new mjolnir, you might remember that there were rails in various places. Think of those ships in the New York system in Freelancer: the ones with the rings at the front end.

You also might want to detail the engine section some more, so that those projections around the engines aren't just chunky thorns. Finally, it needs something on the bits that project down and to the sides. If I get done with my class soon, I can take a look at messing with it for an hour or two.
Title: Hmm, needs something
Post by: StratComm on March 22, 2004, 08:16:16 pm
Yeah sure Mik, I'd love to let someone else poke at it for a while.  I'm doing work on the hanger at the moment, so PM me if you want to take a peek.

As for the back side being somewhat bland, that's not deliberate; it's essentially unchanged from the low-poly version, except for being based on a 12-side cylinder rather than an 8.  It's not square and flat enough to just greeble, but too plain to just leave.  Other areas of the ship have plenty of detail though, especually the ***********.  Of course, I'm saving what that is for a suprise later.
Title: Hmm, needs something
Post by: Liberator on March 23, 2004, 12:04:05 am
Stratt, I realize that that cannon on the front is supposed to be immense, but it's always bugged me that it's as big as it is.  I feel that the ship as a whole would look better and more menacing if the "barrel" were not quite as big around.  I realize that'll never get done but I thought, since you're tweaking it, I'd bring it up.
Title: Hmm, needs something
Post by: karajorma on March 23, 2004, 03:53:59 am
Quote
Originally posted by StratComm
Yeah sure Mik, I'd love to let someone else poke at it for a while.  I'm doing work on the hanger at the moment, so PM me if you want to take a peek.

As for the back side being somewhat bland, that's not deliberate; it's essentially unchanged from the low-poly version, except for being based on a 12-side cylinder rather than an 8.  It's not square and flat enough to just greeble, but too plain to just leave.  Other areas of the ship have plenty of detail though, especually the ***********.  Of course, I'm saving what that is for a suprise later.


My guess is that word is fighterbay (or some similar word). Do I get a cookie if I guessed correctly?
Title: Hmm, needs something
Post by: Taristin on March 23, 2004, 06:21:43 am
supercannon fits too. :doubt:
Title: Hmm, needs something
Post by: Bobboau on March 23, 2004, 06:47:04 am
needs something in the middle
maybe a bit more detail on the front
Title: Hmm, needs something
Post by: karajorma on March 23, 2004, 07:51:13 am
Quote
Originally posted by Raa Tor'h
supercannon fits too. :doubt:


Yeah but it's visible in the pics and the fighterbay isn't :)
Title: Hmm, needs something
Post by: Setekh on March 25, 2004, 06:37:58 am
I think the midsection could do with some wings or panels or at least rails, as Mik suggests. You're spot on though, it's a great design which just needs a little more something. Keep us updated on the progress. :)
Title: Hmm, needs something
Post by: StratComm on March 25, 2004, 11:30:24 pm
Since Mik's working on the Archangel, I've turned to some of the other ships I've made before.  The result, well, see for yourself.

The Chimera (green) and Bellerophon (blue) hulls, both based on a tri-cannon design with linear accelerators running the length of the ships (think HW ICF, but with three guns).  Sort of sister designs, or something.

(http://www.duke.edu/~cek6/newstuff1.jpg)
(http://www.duke.edu/~cek6/newstuff2.jpg)
(http://www.duke.edu/~cek6/newstuff3.jpg)
Title: Hmm, needs something
Post by: Bobboau on March 26, 2004, 12:12:45 am
I much prefer both of those designs, I think you might want to ditch the triangular extrusions though.
Title: Hmm, needs something
Post by: Setekh on March 26, 2004, 04:35:11 am
I like those meshes as well, they're better proportioned IMHO. :)
Title: Hmm, needs something
Post by: StratComm on March 26, 2004, 08:23:38 pm
The Bellerophon and Chimera have been joined by their cruiser cousin, the Hyperion, so check the pics a bit up the page again.  Also, for those of you who aren't familiar with my mods (read: everyone), here's a size comparison:
(http://www.duke.edu/~cek6/compare1.jpg)
Title: Hmm, needs something
Post by: DragonClaw on March 26, 2004, 10:11:21 pm
You like big guns...
Title: Hmm, needs something
Post by: mikhael on March 26, 2004, 10:43:05 pm
He goes to Duke. He's compensating. ;)

Seriously, where's the Raynor for size comparison? ;)
Title: Hmm, needs something
Post by: StratComm on March 26, 2004, 11:37:11 pm
It hasn't been done up properly in MAX.  It's usually in there for these things though, so no need to feel left out ;)
Title: Hmm, needs something
Post by: StratComm on March 28, 2004, 07:53:09 pm
This really shouldn't count as a double post :nervous:

Should I keep the blue stripe?
(http://www.duke.edu/~cek6/Bmapped4.jpg)
(http://www.duke.edu/~cek6/Bmapped1.jpg)
(http://www.duke.edu/~cek6/Bmapped2.jpg)
(http://www.duke.edu/~cek6/Bmapped3.jpg)
Title: Hmm, needs something
Post by: mikhael on March 28, 2004, 08:05:32 pm
yes, but detail those horns on the ventral stern. They're big and chunky and ungraceful and don't go with the rest of the ship.
Title: Re: Hmm, needs something
Post by: mikhael on March 31, 2004, 10:23:58 am
Quote
Originally posted by StratComm
I've taken up remodeling and improving the Archangel mod I made a while back...
(http://www.duke.edu/~cek6/angel1.jpg)


I've been playing with Strat's design for a bit. I'm trying to bring a little of the Mjolnir into the design, while keeping to the same basic layout. Here's the front end I've got going so far:

(http://home.nc.rr.com/mikhael/archangel.jpg)

I'm thinking that forward ring needs to become more triangular and less circular and It could probably do with some detailing (in textures) along the beam rails.